A NATIONAL charity which supports stroke survivors has received nearly £50,000 from a Hampshire fundraising group.

Different Strokes will benefit from the £48,380 from Percy’s Pals, a group established in 2013 after the death of Dr Richard Percival, who died after having a stroke aged 47.

Like many charities, Different Strokes has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic with a 40 per cent reduction in income in 2020.

Tim Smith from Percy’s Pals said: "Helping the team at Different Strokes with this donation is an ideal opportunity for us to direct much needed funding to an illness that often gets over shadowed by other charities such as heart disease and cancer.

"Richard died at a relatively young age and was a dedicated GP doctor who cared about the health and wellbeing of others.

"As tragic as his death was in 2013 it has inspired friends of his to raise considerable sums in his memory and to contribute towards the work Richard did in life.

"This donation follows on from the scanner appeal which now benefits thousands of stroke and brain injured survivors in the south of England.

"Through Different Strokes those patients are able to access the vital support systems they will need to help aid their recovery once discharged from hospital.

"It is a source of great comfort to Richard’s family and friends that donations such as these are able to be made in his name."

In the last six months Different Strokes has adapted its services to ensure that stroke are still able to get the best available support.

Austin Willett, CEO, said: "We are so grateful to everyone involved with Percy’s Pals for this very generous donation.

"This year has been very difficult for us, and although we have managed to mitigate some of the income we have lost through the government furlough scheme, a small business grant, and reducing some general costs, we still faced a significant hole in our budget.

"Much of that hole has now been filled with this donation, which will enable us to extend our new online support activities into 2021, will ensure that our befriending service for teens and young adult stroke survivors will continue for another 12 months and go towards the general running costs of the charity."